Tap Takeovers

The Tap Takeovers I've been to around here have been great- they have the core line-up of course, but they also tend to have a lot of limited or draft-only stuff, which is really nice to have.

 

I would love to take over a Tap and invite all my friends, family and heck, even the neighbors

 

I live in a smaller market and have enjoyed the few I've been able to get to. I most recently went to a Harpoon takeover, only tried one new one, but was reminded that I like their IPA, won a pizza and got some stickers. Pretty cool in my book!

 

Tap Take overs are great in Minneapolis most times they have half a dozen of variants or rare or tap only brews and for the most part not all taps are taken so other breweries taps are there

 

Went to the Deschutes takeover at a restaurant/bar in Minneapolis last night and enjoyed it immensly! The distributor gave me a free flight-glass of Mirror Mirror and I got to try three different years of Black Butte and a couple of vintages of Abyss along with. Didn't have time (or cash) to try Pine Drop and a couple others

 

As others have said, it really depends on the brewery and the offerings that "take over" that night or weekend. If it's rare stuff, great. Or if it's a brewery that's not nearby or a local one that doesn't have many beers outside their taproom, that's great too. Just have to look into the details before going -- most of these events will post (via either the brewery's, bar's or both social media properties) about what's on tap in advance.

 

Tapovers in NYC and other places are probably awesome. In New Mexico, they usually involve the same beers and breweries we can find on tap or at the liquor store anyways. Here, they're pretty much a joke. Even sadder is what a big role they play in our beer week, in which the promoter/creator seeks to hype up things like New Belgium and Sierra takeovers as events. But these guys have takeovers all the damn time, shouldn't beer week be something exclusive or special?

 

Personally the best tap takeovers I have been to include a beer rep/ brewer and some free giveaways. This way I can ask some questions if necessary, try some new beers, learn something, and possibly take something home. Nothing against other tap takeovers, but I like to ask questions about some of the new beers and having a rep on site makes things awesome. They are always willing to answer a question or two, which makes the it more of an experience than a tasting.

 

Usually they are not my thing cause it is the same old stuff I can always get but Goose Island did a tap takeover a few weeks ago and brought all the BCBS variants that we cant get here in AZ so that was awesome. Plus free glassware, shirt, stickers, etc. So my answer is "it really depends on the situation".

 

Firestone Walker tap takeovers at the congregation ale houses (annual thing) in the LA area usually consist of tons of rare beer and David Walker usually makes some appearances as well. Same goes for their Stone week. I look forward to both every year because it is awesome, tons of rare beers, lots of never bottled beers and usually some sort of prizes or give away.

 

I've been to some where the takeover is from a local or near by brewery. I like these because even if I've had some of their beers before, they usually have some limited or year-rounds that I hadn't tried yet.

 

Most of the time these events are well advertised, so you know in advance what to expect. I think it's a good idea in general.

 

Living near Novare Res and The Great Lost Bear in Portland, we get tap take overs usually multiple times a month, and each one is truly a special occasion, as they celebrate what's great about the featured brewery. I think every tap takeover should be an event, and not just an excuse for an unveiling of a new flagship brew or something.

 

I dig...Mothers did a 24 tap take over in Columbia MO and had several "rarities and one off brews" flowing strong...great night! The key is in what's on tap and if it's a "true" take over? I'd say 24 taps is putting the money (beer) where your mouth is.

http://mothersbrewing.com/events/tap-takeover-itap-como/

 

The tap takeover list here for the upcoming Craft Beer week looks pretty solid here in south-central WI. In general, they're usually pretty average, but seeing some more interesting offerings for the May 2-11 event.

 

I love Victory tap takeovers. Almost always guaranteed Braumeister Pils, a hard to find DIPA, and a firkin of something good.

 

I enjoy Tap Takeovers here. I've never been to one that was solely year round + seasonal offerings. There is always a special cask, one-off, barrel aged etc of something that makes the appearance worth it. I've enjoyed some of my favorite beers at takeovers, and hope to enjoy many new favorites moving forward at future takeovers.

 

i kind of liken takeovers to the beer equivalent of seeing a band live. usually there's something about it that's beyond the scope of what you're used to (recordings/regular offerings), and that's what gets you in the door. but after a good show or tap takeover I usually find myself appreciating the entire body of work a lot more.